PENN TWP., LANCASTER COUNTY, PA — Charges have been dropped against three Lancaster County residents, who police say killed a turtle by blowing it up with firecrackers in August.
Taylor J. Deib, 20, and Austin M. Garner, 21, were previously charged with criminal conspiracy and offensive weapons charges after taping M-80 firecrackers to the shell of a turtle, according to police. A 17-year-old was also charged as a juvenile.
An official from the Lancaster County District Attorney’s office says an expert needed to testify that M-80’s are explosives. Authorities did not believe they would have that expert, forcing them to drop the charge -specifically the offensive weapons charge.
The Fish and Boat Commission may still be filing their own charges. Which would likely be two summary citations, hunting turtles without a permit, and cruelty to animals.
